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Minister of State Ablonczy Concludes Successful Western Canada Tour

(No. 241 - August 19, 2011 - 5 p.m. ET) The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), concluded her tour of Canada’s Western provinces today in Vancouver with meetings with consular stakeholders.

“This tour has been a valuable opportunity to work with our partners and to exchange perspectives related to our engagement in the Americas and consular issues,” said Minister of State Ablonczy. “The issues we discussed included ways in which we can collaborate to foster business-to-business connections, promote Canada as an education destination and improve emergency preparedness for Canadians living abroad.”

While in Vancouver, Minister of State Ablonczy met with Rick Killam, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, New Gold Inc.; Don DeVoretz, Professor of Economics at Simon Fraser University, Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and previous director of the Canadians Abroad Project at the Asia Pacific Foundation; and David McCaig, President and Chief Operating Officer, Association of Canadian Travel Agencies.

“One clearly beneficial result of this outreach is that we have held stimulating exchanges on how to better serve and engage the growing number of Canadians working, studying, travelling and living abroad,” said Minister of State Ablonczy.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

John BabcockSenior Communications AdviserOffice of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)613-944-2300